Down Memory Lane: A Very Lonely Radio Amateur on the 145.700 Mhz George Repeater

Image:  PEARS  (Click on image for larger view.)

In June 1995 I relocated to Mossel Bay from Pretoria.  At that stage there were only one repeater in the Southern Cape Area and that was the 145.700 Mhz George Repeater which belonged to Eskom.  The radio amateurs living in this area were given permission to use this repeater on condition that if Eskom needs it, the permission to use the repeater will be withdrawn.  A little bit of background will explain the title of this article more clearly.  Before relocating to Mossel Bay I was a member of the then "Verwoerdburg Amateur Radio Club"  today called the Centurion Amateur Radio Club. At that stage the club had an excellent club house and a fully equipped radio shack as well as other amenities.  The members of this dynamic club was very active. The clubhouse was open to all members and visitors from other clubs every Friday evening and once a month for a club meeting on a Saturday afternoon.   Apart from this there were many outdoor and indoor activities to many to mention here now.  I stayed about 3 km from the clubhouse and needless to say that I seldomly miss out on any activities or gathering at the club house.  My work at that stage decided in May 1995 that they need my services in Mossel Bay and I had to relocate.

Image:  145.700 Mhz George Repeater  (PEARS) (Click on image for larger view.)

Upon my arrival in Mossel Bay I learned that there was a club called "The Garden Radio Route Club" and that one meeting was held a month at various venues as they did not have a club house.  Needless to say that the two meter radio and antenna was installed before moving into my current location.  I put the radio on scan and monitored all the amateur radio frequencies.  Not a sound to hear either on simplex or the repeater.  After some inquiries I was told that there is only two or three radio amateurs chatting on a Tuesday evening on the 145.700 Mhz George Repeater.  Disappointment is not the word when you come from an area where there was active radio communications on various repeaters every single day.  I suddenly felt very lonely as a radio amateur in the Southern Cape. What was even worse is the fact that activity on the repeater entailed gardening and daily chores which has nothing to do with amateur radio. Well I did not sit and mope about the lack of activity and decided to join the club and create as much amateur radio activity as possible.  Easier said then done as I was seen as a "inkommer" newcomer who wants to change everything.  Once again I was on my own,  a very lonely radio amateur!!

The next month a surprise was awaiting me.  The club AGM was held and the outgoing chairman of the club was not available for re-election. While I went to buy something for my dry throat I heard a locomotion that they want me back in the meeting asap.  I was nominated as chairman and they want to know if I would accept the nomination.  Well to cut it short I was elected as chairman of the club.

With the assistance of other club members we soon created many amateur radio activities.  The attendance at club meetings sky-rocketed and the repeater was active on a daily basis.  No this is not because of me but the many radio amateurs that joined the club and then created activities on and of the air. At each monthly meeting we had a lucky draw, demonstration and short lecture.  We were privileged to use the then "George Technical College" facilities and equipment.  Needless to mention that one of he college lecturers was a radio amateur.  Gone was the days moving from one venue to another.  The future of the Garden Route Radio Club looked promising.  After a two year stint as chairman of the club it was time to hand the reins to someone else.  Casey ZS1AAS took the reins and continued leading the club and its members for several years.

 

Image:  Repeater Network Today (PEARS)  Click on image for larger view.

Well through the years amateur radio and clubs evolved in the Southern Cape and Garden Route Area.  I hope I and others never experience the very lonely amateur radio syndrome like I experienced in June 1995.  Today there are a few amateur radio clubs in this area with the latest addition of the Cape Coast Radio Club situated in Plettenberg Bay. Welcome and best wishes to the new Club and its activities!!

Finally:  Never become a very lonely radio amateur.  Do not accept the loneliness.  Do something about it and create activities.  Get radio amateurs to join in fun activities and you will be surprised to see more and more joining and tuning in. Take the initiative if nobody else is interested and promote activities as you move forward.  You will be amazed at the positive outcome!  Stay away from negativity and keep the ball rolling even if you have to go it alone.  

Ed.  I was a member of a few clubs in years gone by.  For some years I "go it alone" due to various reasons but today and in the future I will never be a very lonely radio amateur.  Thankfully this has never been the case since June 1995.  I am so grateful for a full and happy amateur radio "career" be it with or without an amateur radio club!!

Congratulations to all the candidates who passed the October 2025 RAE Examination!!

 As per the above title the Southern Cape Link Network Group would like to congratulate all the RAE candidates on passing the RAE. They wrote the examination last Saturday (18 October 2025).  A special word of welcome to every new radio amateur and we trust that every single one that passed will be and active radio amateur for the rest of his lifetime on this planet.  We as "older" radio amateurs would like to take this opportunity to share our knowledge that we gathered throughout the years. Let's be realistic there will by experienced radio amateurs that might not share their knowledge but they are definitely far and in between. There are also a few "soar plums" around.  Please ignore them and find a friendly helpful radio amateur.  The only thing that you must do is to ask questions on the airwaves, and NOT social media as we would like others to also learn from you questions.  After all we talk about amateur radio here and NOT social media!  If you do not ask questions you will not gain the knowledge of experienced radio amateurs. Yes, there is Google, YouTube etc. but they do not always explain the "nitty gritty" and definitely not the way experience radio amateurs will personally assist you with any problems you might experience in your amateur radio career.  The worst thing you can do is to "disappear" after you wrote the RAE.  Please get into the swing of things as soon as possible!! 

The following candidates passed the RAE in the Southern Cape Area:

1.  Ingrid ZS1ILL

2.  Juah ZS1JUA

3.  Divan ZS1DZA

4.  Vladimir ZS1VR

Finally:  Many thanks to all those who are/were involved in the RAE, PR and the recruiting process.

                                                           ************************

Soos uiteengesit in die bogenoemde titel wil die Suid-Kaap ZS Link Netwerk Groep al die RAE-kandidate gelukwens met die slaag van die RAE. Hulle het die eksamen verlede Saterdag (18 Oktober 2025) afgelê. 'n Spesiale woord van welkom aan elke nuwe radio amateur en ons vertrou dat elkeen wat geslaag het, vir die res van sy leeftyd 'n aktiewe radio amateur op hierdie planeet sal wees. Ons as "ouer" radio amateurs wil graag van hierdie geleentheid gebruik maak om ons kennis wat ons deur die jare versamel het, te deel. Kom ons wees realisties, daar sal ervare radio amateurs wees wat dalk nie hul kennis deel nie, maar hulle is beslis in die minderheid. Daar is ook 'n paar "suur pruime" in die rondte. Ignoreer hulle asseblief en vind 'n vriendelike en behulpsame radio amateur. Die enigste ding wat jy moet doen, is om vrae op die luggolwe te vra, en NIE sosiale media nie, aangesien ons wil hê dat ander ook uit jou vrae moet leer. Ons praat immers hier oor amateur radio en NIE sosiale media nie! As jy nie vrae vra nie, sal jy nie die kennis van ervare radio amateurs opdoen nie. Ja, daar is Google, YouTube ens., maar hulle verduidelik nie altyd die "nitty gritty" nie en beslis nie die manier waarop ervare radio amateurs jou persoonlik sal help met enige probleme wat jy in jou amateur radio loopbaan mag ondervind nie. Die ergste ding wat jy kan doen, is om te "verdwyn" nadat jy die RAE geskryf het. Kom asseblief so gou as moontlik aan die gang!!

Die volgende kandidate het die RAE in die Suid-Kaap gebied geslaag:

1. Ingrid ZS1ILL

2. Juah ZS1JUA

3. Divan ZS1DZA

4. Vladimir ZS1VR

Ten slotte: Baie dankie aan almal wat betrokke is/was by die RAE, PR en die werwings proses.

Why don't we broadcast Local Amateur Radio News Bulletins on the ZS-Link Network?

This question has been asked on the air a few times in the past.  It becomes cumbersome to now and again explain the reasons for not broadcasting local club bulletins on the ZS Link Network.  Therefor this post will explain the reasons why the broadcasting was discontinued.

Background:

In the past we did broadcast local news bulletins on the then GRHub Network, today known as the ZS Link Network.  The GRHub Network at the time was a very small network which allowed for broadcasting some local bulletins.  With the rapid expansion of the ZS Link Network it became necessary to decide whether it is feasible and practical to broadcast local bulletins on the ZS Link Network.  A decision was take by the admins of the ZS Link Network Group that no local bulletins will be broadcasted on the ZS Link Network.  Let's look at the reasons.

Reasons for not broadcasting local amateur radio news bulletins on the current ZS Link network:

1.   The rapid system expansion of the ZS Link Network resulted in a heavy workload on the equipment of the ZS Link Network Group and the administrators of other networks in South Africa.  The ZS Link Network is currently one of the largest networks in South Africa and carries heavy traffic at times.  Control, supervision and maintenance of the network repeaters, nodes, bridges etc. at all times is of the utmost importance to ensure the smooth functioning of the network.  The network consists of many other local and worldwide stations (see above image) which is linked to the ZS Link Network.  Administrators had to take the rapid expansion, size and workload on all the system into consideration.

2.  The ZS Link Network Group is not an amateur radio club and is not affiliated to any club or organization. The group however strive to maintain good relations with all clubs and organizations world wide. The group consist of radio amateurs with the same interest and  aspirations.   Many of the group members are however members of an amateur radio club/s by their own choice.  The ZS Link Network Group therefor has no obligation to any club or organization when it comes to the broadcast of local amateur radio news bulletins.  In the past we received several requests to broadcast club bulletins on behalf of a club.  For obvious reasons these requests were declined. These requests put the group in an awkward predicament due to the fact that at that stage club bulletins of two clubs were broadcasted on the network.  These two bulletin broadcasts stem from the small and old GRHub Network. To be fair and reasonable it was decided to stop broadcasting local club bulletins on the ZS Link Network and to inform the bulletin compilers accordingly.

3.  The ZS Link Network Group has therefor decided that it will only broadcast the following national amateur radio news bulletins:

• SARL Afrikaans National News Bulletin (08h15 - 08h30 SAST Sundays)
• Amateur Radio Today (10h00  - 11h00 SAST Sundays)
• WIA National News from Australia (15h00 - 15h30 SAST Sundays)
• Amateur Radio News Line (19h30 - 20h00 SAST Fridays)

4.  Many national and international amateur radio news bulletins are automated.  This means that the ZS Link Network System (computer) automatically downloads the audio file from a web-site, cut it up into time slots and then automatically plays it on the network at given time. This is surely the way to go and does the ZS Link Network make use of this helpful AllStar function.  No compiling, editing and live reading of a bulletin on the air.  The ZS Link Network prefer the automation of national and international amateur radio news bulletins as it works great and does not result in a heavy workload on especially RF systems, equipment on the network and administrators.

5.  Many large VOIP and RF Radio Networks has taken the decision not to broadcast any amateur radio news bulletins on their networks.  There are many reasons for this decision.  Some of these networks literally have 100's of systems including RF Repeaters connected together and it makes sense to not broadcast any club bulletins on such networks as a local club bulletin is meant for that specific club members and not for world wide broadcasting.  The ZS Link Network has therefor also taken the decision not to broadcast local club bulletins over the network.

6.  Many clubs have RF radio repeaters, HF radio and VOIP systems which they utilize to broadcast their local club news with.  If radio amateurs want to listen to a local club bulletin they can tune in or connect to such systems to listen to local news.  There is therefor no need for the ZS Link Network to broadcast such local bulletins on the ZS Link Network.

7.  Restructuring of the ZS Link Network in the Southern Cape.  Yes the dreaded word called restructuring, many hate to hear.  Unfortunately we do not live in the stone age and we as radio amateurs need to stay informed of the latest technology and experimenting.  Future changes to the ZS Link Network will be made and some will love it others will hate it.  Amateur Radio means to regularly engage in the activity, developing skills, experiment, learning new things, and finding enjoyment in the process.  Sometimes we need to restructure the ZS Link Network, if not we will stagnate and not move forward with the times.  Moving ahead is one reason why the ZS Link Network Group has become a vibrant group of radio amateurs.

The above surely explain the reasons why we discontinued the broadcasting of local amateur radio news bulletins on the ZS Link Network. 

General:

The ZS Link Network Group Admins would like to bring the following to the attention of readers and fellow radio amateurs:

• The ZS Link Network Group is not affiliated to the South African Radio League (SARL) as we are a group of radio amateurs and not a club.  However the group admins and many group members are SARL members and support the SARL in their vision, mission and activities.  We are Pro-SARL and believe that the SARL is the only national body for radio amateurs in this country.
• All necessary licenses to operate repeaters from a remote location as describe in the radio regulations were adhere to and was obtained in collaboration with the Western Cape Repeater Working Group (WCRWG),  SARL and ICASA.  Several of the ZS Link Network Group members are also members of the WCRWG. 
• The ZS Link Network Group is not a club nor is it affiliated with any. It is a platform built, maintained, and operated by individual operators, who utilize available capabilities to enhance the effectiveness of today’s amateur radio for the benefit and enjoyment of all radio
  amateurs and listeners.

Finally:

In conclusion, the Admins of the ZS Link Network Group would like to thank everyone and we mean everyone who makes a positive contribution to this successful group in South Africa. It is truly an experience to be part of the current "explosion" in activities related to the group and network. Any radio amateur from anywhere is invited to join us and become part of an active and dynamic group of radio amateurs. We look forward to welcoming you to the ZS Link Network Group even if you do not live in the Southern Cape area.

Afrikaanse vertaling:

Waarom saai ons nie plaaslike amateur radio nuus bulletins op die ZS-Link Netwerk uit nie?

Hierdie vraag is al 'n paar keer in die verlede op die lug gevra. Dit raak omslagtig om nou en dan die redes te verduidelik waarom plaaslike klub bulletins nie op die ZS Link Netwerk uitgesaai word nie. Daarom sal hierdie plasing die redes verduidelik waarom die uitsendings gestaak is.

Agtergrond:

In die verlede het ons wel plaaslike nuus bulletins uitgesaai op die destydse GRHub Netwerk, vandag bekend as die ZS Link Netwerk. Die GRHub Netwerk was destyds 'n baie klein netwerk wat die uitsending van sommige plaaslike bulletins moontlik gemaak het. Met die vinnige uitbreiding van die ZS Link Netwerk het dit nodig geword om te besluit of dit haalbaar en prakties is om plaaslike bulletins op die ZS Link Netwerk uit te saai. Die administrateurs van die ZS Link Netwerk Groep het 'n besluit geneem dat geen plaaslike bulletins op die ZS Link Netwerk uitgesaai sal word nie. Kom ons kyk na die redes.

Redes waarom plaaslike amateur radio nuus bulletins nie op die huidige ZS Link Netwerk uitgesaai word nie:

1. Die vinnige stelsel uitbreiding van die ZS Link Netwerk het 'n swaar werklas op die toerusting van die ZS Link Netwerk Groep en die administrateurs van ander netwerke in Suid-Afrika tot gevolg gehad. Die ZS Link Netwerk is tans een van die grootste netwerke in Suid-Afrika en dra soms swaar verkeer. Beheer, toesig en instandhouding van die netwerk RF radio herhalers, nodusse, brûe, ens. is te alle tye van die uiterste belang om die gladde funksionering van die netwerk te verseker. Die netwerk bestaan uit baie ander plaaslike en wêreldwye stasies (sien bostaande foto) wat aan die ZS Link Netwerk gekoppel is. Administrateurs moes die vinnige uitbreiding, grootte en werk las op die hele stelsel in ag neem.

2. Die ZS Link Netwerk Groep is nie 'n amateur radio klub nie en is nie geaffilieer met enige klub of organisasie nie. Die groep streef egter daarna om goeie verhoudings met alle klubs en organisasies wêreldwyd te handhaaf. Die groep bestaan uit radio amateurs met dieselfde belangstellings en aspirasies. Baie van die groep lede is egter lede van 'n amateur radio klub(s) uit eie keuse. Die ZS Link Netwerk Groep het dus geen verpligting teenoor enige klub of organisasie wat die uitsending van plaaslike amateur radio nuus bulletins betref nie. In die verlede het ons verskeie versoeke ontvang om klub bulletins namens 'n klub uit te saai. Om voor die hand liggende redes is hierdie versoeke van die hand gewys. Hierdie versoeke het die groep in 'n ongemaklike situasie geplaas omdat klub bulletins van twee klubs op daardie stadium op die netwerk uitgesaai is. Hierdie twee bulletin uitsendings spruit voort uit die klein en ou GRHub-netwerk soos reeds vermeld. Om billik en redelik te wees, is besluit om op te hou om plaaslike klub bulletins op die ZS Link Netwerk uit te saai en die bulletin samestellers dienooreenkomstig in te lig.

3. Die ZS Link Netwerk Groep het dus besluit dat die volgende internasionale en nasionale amateur radio nuus bulletins  uitgesaai sal word:

• SARL Afrikaanse Nasionale Nuus Bulletin (08:15 - 08:30 SAST Sondae)

• Amateur Radio Today (10:00 - 11:00 SAST Sondae)

• WIA Nasional News uit Australië (15:00 - 15:30 SAST Sondae)

• Amateur Radio Newsline (19:30 - 20:00 SAST Vrydae)

4. Baie nasionale en internasionale amateur radio nuus bulletins vind outomaties plaas. Dit beteken dat die ZS Link Netwerk Stelsel (rekenaar) outomaties die klank lêer van 'n webwerf aflaai, dit in tyd gleuwe opsny en dit dan outomaties op die netwerk op 'n gegewe tyd speel. Dit is sekerlik die pad om te volg en maak die ZS Link Netwerk gebruik van hierdie nuttige AllStar funksie. Geen samestelling, redigering en regstreekse voorlesing van 'n bulletin vind op die lug plaas nie. Die ZS Link Netwerk verkies die outomatisering van nasionale en internasionale amateur radio nuus bulletins, aangesien dit uitstekend werk en nie 'n swaar werklas op veral RF radio stelsels, toerusting op die netwerk en administrateurs tot gevolg het nie.

5. Baie groot VOIP- en RF radio netwerke het die besluit geneem om geen amateur radio nuus bulletins op hul netwerke uit te saai nie. Daar is baie redes vir hierdie besluit. Sommige van hierdie netwerke het letterlik honderde stelsels, insluitend RF-herhalers, wat aan mekaar gekoppel is, en dit maak sin om geen klub bulletins op sulke netwerke uit te saai nie, aangesien 'n plaaslike klub bulletin vir daardie spesifieke klub lede bedoel is en nie vir wêreldwye uitsending nie. Die ZS Link Netwerk het daarom die besluit geneem om nie plaaslike klub bulletins oor die netwerk uit te saai nie.

6. Baie klubs het RF- radio herhalers, HF-radios en VOIP-stelsels wat hulle gebruik om hul plaaslike klub nuus mee uit te saai. As radio amateurs na 'n plaaslike klub bulletin wil luister, kan hulle inskakel of aan sulke stelsels koppel om na plaaslike nuus te luister. Daar is dus geen nodigheid vir die ZS Link Netwerk om sulke plaaslike bulletins op die ZS Link Netwerk uit te saai nie.

7. Herstrukturering van die ZS Link Netwerk in die Suid-Kaap. Ja, die gevreesde woord genaamd herstrukturering, haat baie om van te hoor. Ongelukkig leef ons nie in die steentydperk nie en ons as radio amateurs moet op hoogte bly van die nuutste tegnologie dmv eksperimentering. Toekomstige veranderinge aan die ZS Link Netwerk sal aangebring word en sommige sal daarvan hou, ander sal nie daarvan hou nie. Amateur radio beteken om gereeld aan die aktiwiteit deel te neem, vaardighede te ontwikkel, te eksperimenteer, nuwe dinge te leer en genot in die proses te vind. Soms moet ons die ZS Link Netwerk herstruktureer, indien nie, sal ons stagneer en nie met die tyd vorentoe beweeg nie. Om vorentoe te beweeg is een rede waarom die ZS Link Netwerk Groep 'n dinamiese groep radio amateurs geword het.

Bogenoemde verduidelik sekerlik die redes waarom ons die uitsending van plaaslike amateur radio nuus bulletins op die ZS Link Netwerk gestaak het.

Algemeen:

Die ZS Link Netwerk Groep Administrateurs wil graag die volgende onder die aandag van lesers en mede radio amateurs bring:

• Die ZS Link Netwerk Groep is nie geaffilieer tot die Suid-Afrikaanse Radioliga (SARL) nie, aangesien ons 'n groep radio amateurs is en nie 'n klub nie. Die groep administrateurs en baie groep lede is egter SARL lede en ondersteun die SARL in hul visie, missie en aktiwiteite. Ons is Pro-SARL en glo dat die SARL die enigste nasionale liggaam vir radioamateurs in hierdie land is.

• Alle nodige lisensies om herhalers vanaf 'n afgeleë plek te bedryf soos beskryf in die radio regulasies, is nagekom en is verkry in samewerking met die Wes-Kaapse Herhaler Werk Groep (WKHWG), SARL en ICASA. Verskeie van die ZS Link Netwerk Groep lede is ook lede van die WKHWG.

• Die ZS Link Netwerk Groep is nie 'n klub nie en is ook nie geaffilieer met enigeen nie. Dit is 'n platform wat gebou, onderhou en bedryf word deur individuele operateurs, wat beskikbare vermoëns gebruik om die doeltreffendheid van vandag se amateur radio te verbeter tot voordeel en genot van alle radio amateurs en luisteraars.

Ten slotte wil die administrateurs van die ZS Link Netwerk Groep almal bedank, en ons bedoel almal wat 'n positiewe bydrae lewer tot hierdie suksesvolle groep in Suid-Afrika. Dit is werklik 'n ervaring om deel te wees van die huidige "ontploffing" in aktiwiteite wat verband hou met die groep en netwerk. Enige radio amateur van enige plek word genooi om by ons aan te sluit en deel te word van 'n aktiewe en dinamiese groep radio amateurs. Ons sien daarna uit om u by die ZS Link Netwerk Groep te verwelkom, selfs al woon u nie in die Suid-Kaap gebied nie.

Koos and Annie van der Merwe Gold Award bestowed on Johann Becker ZS1AAC

 Image:  Johann Becker ZS1AAC, Still Bay  (Click on image for larger view.)

During this years 2025 SARL National Convention the Koos and Annie van der Merwe Gold Award was bestowed on Johann Becker, ZS1AAC, a member of the Boland Amateur Radio Club as well as the ZS Link Network Group.  Johann is residing in Still Bay.

Information regarding the Koos and Annie van der Merwe Gold Award:

Awarded for meritorious service by a member or any other person to the Amateur Radio Service.

Recipients of this award since 2023:

2023

Susan Prinsloo
Jannie Minny ZS4JR

2024

 

Anne Bareham

Heather Holland ZS5YH

Boland ARC

Cape Town ARC

2025

Johan Becker ZS1AAC
Dave Reece ZS1DFR
Theunis Potgieter ZS2EC
Rudi Venter ZS2M
Corrie de Beer ZSCDB
Johann Bezuidenhout ZS1JBZ
Phillip van Tonder ZSPVT
Karel Bezuidenhout ZSWN

Koos and Annie van der Merwe were licenced in 1946 in Bloemfontein as ZS4AW and ZS4AZ.
Annie became the first licenced woman in the Free State and the founding secretary of the Bloemfontein Branch of the SARL in 1946.

In Cape Town, Koos and Annie became ZS1AW and ZS1AZ. They managed aspects of the SARL’s day-to-day operations in Cape Town from at least 1958 to 1989, when the League headquarters were transferred to Johannesburg.

Koos was the SARL Awards Manager from approximately 1950 to 1989. They were both instrumental in the League’s two primary operating awards, Worked All ZS and All Africa Award.

At least during the early 1980s, Koos and Annie handled all aspects of administration for the SARL, commuting at their own expense and working free of charge. They maintained membership records on index cards and labelled and mailed RadioZS, the League magazine. They sorted QSL cards for the bureau. They compiled and circulated the weekly SARL bulletins and organised routine SARL meetings. The also assisted SARL branches with the Annual General Meeting.

They both received the Jack Twine merit award in the early Sixties. Annie received the SARL’s Willy Wilson Gold Badge in 1965, with Koos following suit in 1972. They were both Honorary Life Members of the SARL until their respective deaths in Cape Town in the early 1990s.
Refer to section 28.5.1 of the Constitution and Rules of the SARL for further details. 

Image:  Click on image for larger view.  (Certificate of Johann's award second from right.)

At the Boland Amateur Radio Club Meeting held on the 26 July 2025 the following radio amateurs received their SARL awards:

• Le Roux van Zyl – SARL Certificate of Recognition - For his participation in the ZS9YOTA activities in 2024.

• Rassie ZS1YT – Ted Baker Rally Cup for his contribution to motorsport rallies.

• Raoul ZS1C – The Silent Keys Memorial Trofee CW - For achieving the highest score during the annual HF CW contest

• Raoul ZS1C –  Koos and Annie vd Merwe Platinum Award - For his excellent and all-round CW activities

• Johann ZS1AAC – Koos and Annie vd Merwe Gold Award - For his work on the VHF Repeater System in the Southern and Western Cape as well as running the RAE Center at Still Bay.

• Jacques ZS1WC – The Silent Keys Memorial Trofee SSB - For achieving the highest score during the annual HF Phone Contest.

Unfortunately Johann ZS1AAC was not able to receive the award in person.  He will however receive the award at a later stage.

Congratulations to you Johann and all the other recipients with their well deserved SARL award/s.

Belangrike Sekuriteitswaarskuwing aan Radio Amateurs / Important Security Warning to Radio Amateurs

Belangrike Sekuriteitswaarskuwing:

 
Soos julle almal weet, gebeur sekuriteits- en bedrogvoorvalle deesdae gereeld — van gekapte rekeninge en selfoonnommers tot vals boodskappe wat lyk of dit van bekende mense af kom. Ongelukkig is daar vandag weer nuwe gevalle in ons breër amateur radiogemeenskap gerapporteer.

Ons wil julle daarom net weer herinner om seker te maak dat jou persoonlike aanlyn sekuriteit in plek is en dat jy versigtig is met enige verdagte kommunikasie. Hierdie tipe aanvalle tref mense van alle ouderdomme en vlakke van tegniese kennis.

Wat jy nou kan doen om jouself te beskerm:
✅ Gaan jou Google-, e-pos- en ander belangrike rekeninge se sekuriteitsinstellings na
✅ Skakel twee-faktor verifikasie (2FA) aan waar moontlik
✅ Gebruik sterk en unieke wagwoorde vir elke rekening
✅ Wees versigtig vir ongewone of dringend klinkende boodskappe, selfs van mense wat jy ken
✅ Moenie op verdagte skakels klik of onbekende lêers aflaai nie
✅ Moenie persoonlike inligting via WhatsApp, e-pos of SMS deel nie
✅ Rapporteer enige verdagte kommunikasie onmiddellik aan die komitee sou dit lyk of dit van een van ons af kom.

Hoe misdadigers dikwels toegang verkry tot jou inligting:
– Vals e-posse of webwerwe wat jou vra om aan te meld op ’n vals webblad
– WhatsApp-boodskappe van “vriende” wat hulp of geld vra
– SIM-swap-bedrog – jou selfoonnommer word oorgeneem en gebruik om jou rekeninge oop te kry
– Gebruik van swak of herhaalde wagwoorde
– Skadelike lêers of skakels wat malware installeer

🔐 Wat doen ons as gemeenskap?
Ons neem hierdie risiko’s ernstig op en pas alle beskikbare sekuriteitsmaatreëls toe op die platforms wat ons gebruik. Jou persoonlike aanlyn veiligheid is egter jou eerste en belangrikste verdedigingslinie.

Laat ons saamwerk om mekaar te beskerm teen hierdie bedreigings. Deel asseblief hierdie boodskap met ander lede wat dalk nie op die groep is nie.

Bly waaksaam en veilig.

73

Boland Amateur Radio Klub Komitee

 

ED.   Dankie BARK vir die inligting.

 

English Version:

Important Security Alert:

As you all know, security and fraud incidents are common these days — from hacked accounts and cellphone numbers to fake messages that appear to come from well-known people. Unfortunately, new cases have been reported in our broader amateur radio community today.

We would therefore like to remind you once again to make sure that your personal online security is in place and that you are cautious with any suspicious communications. These types of attacks affect people of all ages and levels of technical knowledge.

What you can do now to protect yourself:
✅ Check the security settings of your Google, email and other important accounts
✅ Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) where possible
✅ Use strong and unique passwords for each account
✅ Be wary of unusual or urgent-sounding messages, even from people you know
✅ Don’t click on suspicious links or download unknown files
✅ Don’t share personal information via WhatsApp, email or SMS
✅ Report any suspicious communication to the committee immediately if it appears to come from one of us.

How criminals often gain access to your information:
– Fake emails or websites asking you to log in to a fake website
– WhatsApp messages from “friends” asking for help or money
– SIM swap scams – your cellphone number is taken over and used to open your accounts
– Using weak or repeated passwords
– Malicious files or links that install malware

🔐 What are we doing as a community?

We take these risks seriously and implement all available security measures on the platforms we use. However, your personal online safety is your first and most important line of defense.

Let’s work together to protect each other from these threats. Please share this message with other members who may not be on the group.

Stay vigilant and safe.

73

Boland Amateur Radio Club Committee 

ED. Thanks BARK for the information.

A visit to KL7AA in Anchorage, Canada by Dawid (Dolf) Pretorius ZS1DRP

 

 

The Anchorage Amateur Radio Club(AARC), call sign KL7AA was organized in 1947, and we have over 300 members. We invite anyone with an interest in amateur radio or public service to contact us. The AARC is dedicated to public service and public safety.  AARC also provides auxiliary communications and training to any group or civil authority.

Vision and Mission

AARC Vision

“An inclusive community of engaged, trained, and prepared emergency communication volunteers”

AARC Mission

“The mission of the Anchorage Amateur Radio Club is to vigorously promote, support, and lead amateur radio activities in a manner that honors and exemplifies the radio amateur’s code, builds esprit de corps within our membership, and serves our community’s needs.”

RSOC Motto

Learn, Teach, Serve

Activities

Tune your 2-meter radio to 146.52 FM every Wednesday at 7 PM and join us for the South Central Simplex Net.

Meetings – First Thursday of each month at 7 pm at the Radio Science and Operations Center, 6721 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK 99502.  Attend in-person or via Zoom.  See our calendar to get the link for the Zoom session for the club meeting. 

Website

Click HERE

 

A big thank you to Dolf  ZS1DRP for making the images available of his visit to Anchorage Amateur Radio Club (KL7AA) in Canada. 

What happened to the ZS6SRC Pico Balloon?

The Secunda Radio Club launched a Pico balloon at the Trichardt Model Aircraft Club on Saturday 24 May 2025.  Click HERE for more information on the balloon project.

Today is the 27 May 2025 and the latest dashboard indication is that the balloon  was last seen: 2 days, 17 hours, 22 mins ago.  It would appear that the balloon is stationary as indicated on the dashboard images.  If anybody knows if the balloon is still active and in the air we would like to hear from you.  Info can be forwarded by clicking HERE.

Images:  Click on images for larger view.

George Radio entoesiaste slaag nasionale eksamen met vlieënde vaandels

GEORGE NUUS - Twee geesdriftiges het onlangs die nasionale eksamen vir radioamateur-entoesiaste in George afgelê en met vlieënde vaandels geslaag.

Eden-radioklub het Gisbert Schulze van George en Johan Brittz van Uniondale geluk gewens met hul uitstekende prestasie en gesê hulle sien daarna uit om hulle spoedig op die lug te kry.

Schulze en Brittz het baie ure ingesit ter voorbereiding vir die eksamen, waar hulle 'n minimum van 50% in elk van twee afdelings, asook 'n algehele minimum van 65%, moes behaal om te slaag.

Daarby moes hulle ook onder toesig van amptelike assessors van die SARL (Suid-Afrikaanse Radioliga) 'n radiostasie opstel en met vyf persone (QSO's of radiokontakte) kontak maak onder hulle klub se roepsein.

Albei het A's gekry vir beide die tegniese en regulasie-afdelings van die eksamen.

Eden-radioklub is 'n geregistreerde SARL-eksamenlokaal in George en beskik oor twee bekwame SARL-assessors, Willie Hewitt en Corné Conradie.

Hewitt en Conradie is aangestel om die RAE (radioamateur-eksamen) onder streng SARL-reëls en die oorsig van die Onafhanklike Kommunikasieowerheid (ICASA) te administreer.

Enigeen wat belangstel om by die Eden-radioklub aan te sluit, kan hullekontak by Edenradioclub@gmail.com.

‘Ons bring jou die nuutste Tuinroete, Hessequa, Karoo nuus’ 

Artikel beskikbaar deur HIER te klik.

 

-  George Herald 

Secunda Radio Club intends to launch Raspberry Pi Pico Balloon from the Trichardt Model Aircraft Club on Saturday 24 May 2025

 If all goes according to plan, the Secunda Radio Club will launch a Pico balloon at the Trichardt Model Aircraft Club on Saturday 24 May 2025. We will let you know the time as we will only fill the balloon with Helium gas in town on Saturday morning. We hope to launch at around 09:00. Everyone is welcome. We are keeping our fingers crossed that the balloon would make at least one revolution around the southern hemisphere of the earth. We kindly ask everyone who has the digital mode WSPR, to monitor the balloon and upload the information with 'PSK Reporter'. This can be done by using the following software, WSJT-X and/or JTDX and then selecting the WSPR modes and setting the radio to the correct frequencies. The frequency on the radio is 14.09560/14.09578. The balloon is a 50 inch/127 cm silver party balloon and the electronic board and solar cells all weigh 24 grams. If you have any queries, please contact Christo, ZR6LJK or Gert, ZS6GC.

As alles volgens plan verloop lanseer die Secunda Radioklub 'n piko-ballon by die Trichardt Model Vliegtuigklub op Saterdag 24 Mei 2025. Ons sal die tyd laat weet aangesien ons eers Saterdag oggend die ballon gaan vul met Helium gas in die dorp. Ons hoop om so 09:00 te lanseer. Almal is welkom. Ons hou duim vas dat die ballon ten minste een omwenteling gaan doen om die suidelike halfrond van die aarde. Ons vra asseblief almal wat die digitale mode WSPR het, om die ballon te monitor en die informasie met 'PSK Reporter' op te laai. Dit kan gedoen word deur die volgende sagteware te gebruik, WSJT-X en/of JTDX en dan die WSPR modes te kies en die radio op die regte frekwensies te stel. Die frekwensie op die radio is 14,09560/14,09578. Die ballon is 'n 50 duim/127 cm silwer partytjie ballon en die elektroniese bord en son selle weeg alles 24 gram. Indien jy enige navrae het kontak gerus vir Christo, ZR6LJK of Gert, ZS6GC.

 

Nico, ZS6QL:  President SARL

Dennis ZS4BS:  Secretary SARL 

Port Elizabeth Amateur Radio Society (PEARS) now active on the AllStarLink Network

Image:  Lady Slipper Repeater Site  (Click on image for large view.)

AllStarLink is a network of Amateur Radio repeaters, remote base stations and hot spots accessible to each other via Voice over Internet Protocol. AllStarLink runs on a dedicated computer (including the Raspberry Pi) that you host at your home, radio site or computer center. It is based on the open source Asterisk PBX running our app_rpt application. App_rpt makes Asterisk a powerful system capable of controlling one or more radios. It provides linking of these radio "nodes" to other systems of similar construction anywhere in the world via VoIP. 

Image:  Map (Click on image for large view.)

I can now report that PEARS has installed an AllStar Node at the Lady Slipper Repeater site on the 21 April 2025.  Thanks and appreciation must go to Kevern ZR2BK who undertook the task to enlist PEARS to the 10606 listed world wide nodes.  Kevern ZR2BK and Rory ZS2BL installed Node 62997 at the Lady Slipper site and connected to the ZS1I Hub in Mossel Bay.  Your's truly assisted with final audio reports and it was not long before the node emitted the clear and great audio AllStar is known for. 

Particulars of the PEARS Node:

Node:  62997

Node ID: ZS2PE

Frequency:  145.700 Mhz

Tone:  88.5 hz

Location:  Lady Slipper, PE

Country:  South Africa

Affiliation:  Port Elizabeth Amateur Radio Society (PEARS)

 

Images (Click on images for larger view.)

Yesterday the 22 April 2025 at 16h30 we had the privileged to talk to Chris ZS2AAW during the "Sonsakspan Net" via the Network.  It was great to hear Chris who is well known for establishing the year 2000 Linked Repeater Network way-back then.  Chris is today involved in the Cape Linked Repeater Network and also the maintenance of the various repeaters in the Eastern Cape.  The PEARS AllStar node preformed well and the audio quality was great.

Finally:  I know that there were others that assisted Kevern ZR2BK behind the scene to get the PEARS node up and running.  Many thanks to each and every one of you, however a big thank you to Kevern who undertook this project and made it a reality.  Well done Kevern!!

The ZS Link Network Group welcomes PEARS to the AllStarLink Network in South Africa! 

Beware of the "Vultures" / Passop vir die "Aasvoels"

 

BEWARE OF THE "VULTURES"/ PASSOP VIR DIE "AASVOELS".

Radio Amateurs hou nie daarvan om daaraan te dink dat hulle eendag almal stil sleutel gaan raak nie. Nie een van ons weet wanneer die dag sal aanbreek nie, dit kan vandag nog wees of oor 'n paar jaar. Ons kan egter terwyl ons nog die sleutel slaan die nodige maatreels tref om dinge makliker te maak vir die wat agter bly.

Die wat agter bly is baie keer die vrou en kinders wat nie radio amateurs is of oor enige elektroniese kennis beskik nie. Hulle sit gewoonlik met baie toerusting en parte opgeskeep en weet nie altyd hoe om daarvan onslae te raak nie, meer presies hoe om die hardverdiende kontant terug te kry wat die radio amateur in toerusting bele het. Die grootste probleem is egter om van die sogenaamde "junk" ontslae te raak.

Voor die weduwee of naasbestaandes uiteindelik besluit om die toerusting te verkoop, duik onverwagte probleme somtyds op. Die weduwee of die persoon wat die toerusting verkoop kry te doen met 'n verskeidenheid van kopers.

Kom ons kyk na verskeie radio amateurs se ideas en opinies rondom elkeen van die kopers.

 

1. THE " BAD VULTURE" BUYER.

"Twice I have handled estate sales of a deceased friends ham gear. Both times the vultures were his other so called friends."

"Vultures "Make a visit" to the house and offer their sincere condolences and then ask to buy the equipment. Pure vultures indeed."

"They "buy estate sales" Meaning they knock on the doors of the widows before the silent key is even buried."

2. THE SO CALLED "FRIEND" AND APPARENT HONEST BUYER.

"It's pretty bad when your so called "friends" turn on you and your family at their time of grief. I have heard of these so called "friends" buying equipment under the table before the actual sale takes place. The equipment are bought at a "stealing price" to the detriment of the poor widow."

"I am talking about lending of equipment to closest friends and suddenly they pass away while the equipment is still in their possession. The Collins 75 A4 had my name and call-sign engraved on it. Unfortunately the rig was sold by the daughter before I knew of his death. The vulture who bought the rig did not have the decency to contact me. So long for being kind to a fellow radio amateur.”

"His favorite ploy is to tell the widow that he would like to have it but can't raise the money now and that he will pay the amount in installments. To the widow he seems like a kindly old gentleman and she agrees. Beware this will just cause further grief. She might receive a payment or two. Thereafter is is up to the widow to try and salvage the money. Real kind old vulture !"

3. THE REAL HONEST BUYER.

"When a seller at a ham-fest tells me "its from an estate" I cannot resist but to help only after I confirmed the death of the silent key. I pay the sum asked knowing that I helped a widow in grief."

"I just went out today to buy a couple of radios from a widow. These radios had been advertised at a fixed price. I went there and paid her the price it was advertised at. Did not try to bicker with her. Just handed her the cash and took the radios."

"I have never made an offer for an estate. I have always paid the asking price for the gear. At swap meets, I usually ask the price and walk away if the price is too high. I very seldom have offered less that the seller is asking, especially if i knew he was selling it too cheaply as it was."

4. THE "BARGAIN" RADIO AMATEUR BUYER.

"Most radio amateurs don't want to pay a fair price for anything they buy, in fact, even the ham magazines always say to try to bargain the price down as that is the practice."

"Don't you think that the individual radio amateur is the one who should make the decision as to whether or not the price being wanted is sufficient for his purposes."

5. THE "GOOD VULTURES"

"As sometimes happens in nature the junk gets left for vultures. So let it be the rule with junk equipment of a silent key. Sell the junk not collectors items to vultures."

"Maybe sometimes even the good vultures do good by keeping the old gear in circulation awhile longer."

"Don't knock the "Good Vultures" when the blame squarely aims at the radio amateur who was a compulsive collector of junk."

"At least a "Good Vulture" cleans out the shack of all of the useless stuff."

Al die vorige genoemde kopers kan eendag opdaag by u verkoping van toerusting nadat u stil sleutel geraak het. Die probleem raak soveel groter as die naasbestaandes nie kennis het van die stokperdjie nie. 'n Verdere probleem is dat selfs sommige radio amateurs wat die boedel verkope hanteer geen benul het van die waarde van toerusting nie.

Wat kan ons as radio amateurs doen voor ons stil sleutel raak ten einde die weduwee en naasbestaandes te beskerm teen aasvoels en oneerlike kopers.

Neem kennis van die volgende:

"Protect yourself and your survivors by having a complete inventory and access to honest radio amateurs who will assist your survivors in disposing of your equipment."

"I make note of all serial numbers and model numbers. I also wrote down what i thought would be a fair price for someone to pay for my equipment and i arrived at those prices by getting a good idea of prices being paid at flea markets and advertisements on the internet."

"I make a copy of the ad from where I purchased the equipment. If used equipment, a copy of an ad and with the real purchase price (not the price you told your wife to stay out of trouble) and a note reading "purchased used".

"I familiarize my wife with the old and new equipment. I then take a series of photos of the station setup the way i normally keep it. I circle the individual items on the photo and give each item a "key number".

“The number relates back to the typed list with current prices. If I make changes I re-photograph it again and re-do the key. My wife can use the "Key" to establish the value of all my equipment."

"I have arranged with my close friends to dispose of my equipment. The group of no less than three knowledgeable radio amateur friends will go over to the home and price everything.”

“Note: They are not eligible to purchase anything at that time. They make a list with prices and present it to my wife. After her approval, the list will be made available to radio amateurs on a first come first served basis."

"List your equipment on your will/family trust and how you want the equipment donated, sold or whatever."

"Do not allow the wife to sell equipment with no manuals, schematic diagrams or an indication whether the equipment is working or not. Clean the muck and dirt from the equipment and "junk". Neat equipment sells easier."

There are three types of amateur radio estate sales you might consider:

First the Estate Garage Sale where everything is sold at once and not just the radio amateur stuff. Radio Amateurs are provided beforehand with the list of equipment. The sale is handled by a professional auctioneer or "amateur radio auctioneer". There is no opportunity for the buyer to gauge the family.

There is the Amateur Radio Estate Sale where it is run by a friend. Never allow a club to sell your gear as a conflict of interest will result in bad prices.

Then the third is the family selling the stuff to licensed radio amateurs through an ad in the paper."

"Why not make sure some of the radio equipment you cared for over the years goes to someone who will really appreciate it and use it. That way even after you have passed on, you can still say "I appreciate your friendship and I'd like you to have all my equipment."

"If you are not married and have no children or heirs donate your equipment to new amateurs or an active group so they can benefit from it."

Ek dink u sal saam met my stem dat baie van hierdie keuses die probleme wat weduwees of naasbestaandes dalk kan ervaar, beperk kan word. Kom ons kyk nou na die radio amateurs wat graag toerusting opgaar vir een of ander dag wanneer hy dit sou nodig kry. Baie van hierdie radio amateurs het groot hoeveelhede toerusting versamel deur die jare.

 

"Radio Amateurs are the worst junk collectors on earth, and I mean junk, not good stuff. There is the exception to this rule. If you clean out what you don't use and stop with the "I have to keep everything, you may get a decent price for unused stock while it is still in decent working shape. "

"How many radio amateurs do you know that cannot sell their beloved "junk" even if they have reached the age of 70 plus. Even at that age they still collect and collect. Wonder if they will be taking it with them when they become silent key. Maybe they've heard that DX is good up there where ever they are going.”

 

Die manne is nogal redelik uitgesproke. Daar is egter talle radio amateurs wat nie "junk" opgaar sonder rede nie. Hulle is daadwerklike versamelaars van skaars en outentieke toerusting wat met groot liefde en sorg gerestoreer word tot hul oorspronklike toestand en glorie.

Wat staan my te doen as ek reeds in die aandskemer of geleende tyd leef. Diesulke radio amateurs het sekere voorstelle wat hulle maak. Kom ons kyk na 'n paar voorstelle:

 

"As you get older, it may be wise to begin unloading the more obscure stuff out of your shack and just go with fewer and newer pieces of equipment. You need no more than a single HF radio and a 2 Meter set."

"I have also begun unloading the non-essentials. I found it is best to sell them while I'm in control, rather than wait and let her do it when I'm gone."

"As for us radio amateurs, we should have the foresight to get rid of our equipment before we die. The radio amateur that kicked the bucket should have taken care of business after warning signs that he might soon be silent key."

"If you are 70, and have a basement full of stuff with no plans...............shame on you. Sell it all now and get a good price."

 

So daar is die hele storie. Ek laat die opinies in alle radio amateurs se midde. Miskien is die opinies vir u en u naasbestaandes van waarde. Dit kan naasbestaandes help om 'n besluit te neem sou u dalk u plig in die verband versuim het.

Onthou wees 'n aktiewe radio amateur en tref die nodige voorsorg.

Johan ZS1I

Mossel Bay

Vuurtoring tot Vuurtoring Naweek - Ystervarkpunt-Vuurtoring

 Foto:  Ystervarkpunt-vuurtoring 

"Vuurtorings het vir baie jare 'n belangrike rol in maritieme navigasie gespeel en skepe veilig langs ons verraderlike kuslyn gelei. Hierdie argitektoniese wonders simboliseer die belangrikheid van kommunikasie."  

TUINROETE | KAROO NUUS - Suid-Afrika se Amateurradio Vuurtoringnaweek het radioamateurs van regoor die land van 17 tot 18 Augustus bymekaar gebring om hul passie vir kommunikasie en tegnologie te deel.

Foto:  Van links is Willie Hewitt ZS2CC, Hettie Hewitt, Mark Sanderson ZS1SSM, Corne Conradie ZS1COR, Desmond Sanderson ZS6SED, Eben Hewitt ZS1HEB, Danie Leonard ZS1DL, Gerrit Klopper ZS1KLO en Henry Hansen ZS1SB.

Sewe amateurs van die Eden-radioklub het Vrydagoggend by Ystervarkpunt-vuurtoring byeengekom en antennas opgeslaan.

Die Ystervarkpuntvuurtoring is in Gourikwa-natuurreservaat, halfpad tussen die kusdorpe, Gouritsmond en Stilbaai.

Die mans het hoog vanaf die ligtoring 'n antenna gespan wat een van die lede, Willie Hewitt (ZS2CC) gemaak het en dit tot heel onder vertikaal laat hang.

Corné Conradie (ZS1COR) van Eden-radioklub, sê hierdie jaarlikse naweek bied 'n platform vir radioamateurentoesiaste om hul vaardighede ten toon te stel, kennis uit te ruil, die publiek geïnteresseerd te kry en om aan 'n vriendskaplike kompetisie deel te neem waar kameraderie opnuut versterk word.

Dit alles, terwyl hulle omring word deur die boeiende skoonheid en betekenis van Suid-Afrika se vuurtorings.

Vuurtorings inspireer

"Vuurtorings het vir baie jare 'n belangrike rol in maritieme navigasie gespeel en skepe veilig langs ons verraderlike kuslyn gelei. Hierdie argitektoniese wonders simboliseer die belangrikheid van kommunikasie. In die moderne era is langafstandradiokommunikasie 'n onmisbare aspek tydens navigasie, maar tog speel vuurtorings steeds 'n belangrike rol," vertel Conradie.

Met vuurtorings as inspirasie, is die vuurtoringnaweek geskep om jaarliks die gees van konnektiwiteit onder radioamateurs in Suid-Afrika en wêreldwyd te vier. Deelnemers demonstreer dan hul tegniese vaardighede met die vinnige opstel van moderne radiostasies met verskillende antennas en deel hul passie vir radiokommunikasie.

Deelnemers van verskillende klubs kom in spanne by verskeie ligtorings langs die kus bymekaar wat dan as fokuspunt vir hul aktiwiteite dien.

Gedurende die naweek het radioamateurs hul kommunikasiestelsels opgestel om soveel as moontlik kontak te maak met mede-entoesiaste - plaaslik en regoor die wêreld.

Ons het dit gedoen!

Conradie sê die Eden-radioklub het met 'n Kenwood ts2000 vanuit die vuurtoringhuisie gepraat. "Ons het 80 kontakte gemaak en met 10 vuurtorings in Suid-Afrika en een stasie in Duitsland gepraat. Kondisies was baie goed en ons het sommer al Saterdagoggend net na 06:30 ons eerste kontak gemaak."

Hy sê een van die "Ons het dit gedoen!"-oomblikke was waar die vuurtoringoperateurs opeenhopings (pile-ups) moes hanteer waar verskeie roepe gelyktydig inkom. "Vir die operateurs wat roep na die vuurtorings en wat se sein gehoor word bo ander, is dit 'n veer in die hoed," sê Conradie.

Hy sê die naweek kweek 'n gevoel van kameraadskap onder die deelnemers aangesien hulle streef om met soveel as moontlik stasies kontak te maak met hul tydelike stasie - kontakte gemaak deur die vuurtoringoperateurs, sowel as kontakte gemaak na vuurtorings deur individuele operateurs.

Boeiende stokperdjie

"Die vuurtoringnaweek speel 'n belangrike rol in die bevordering van amateurradio as 'n stokperdjie. Deur die vermoëns en kameraadskap van entoesiaste ten toon te stel, lok die geleentheid gesoute amateurs, nuwe amateurs en mense wat nuuskierig is oor die stokperdjie. Dit is weereens hierdie naweek bewys deur die letterlik duisende kontakte wat gemaak en gelog is."

Conradie hoop dat die blootstelling wat tydens die naweek gegenereer word, help om bewustheid te verhoog oor die voordele van radioamateurkommunikasie. "Hopelik sal dit weer nuwe entoesiaste inspireer om by ons gemeenskap aan te sluit en om die kulturele, argitektoniese en erfeniswaarde van ons vuurtorings te waardeer."

Daar is darem nie net per radio gekommunikeer nie en tussendeur het die vure gebrand en het die deelnemers lekker saamgekuier.

Vir nog foto's en inligting besoek Eden Radio Club op Facebook, Instragram en YouTube.

Kontak Eden-radioklub by edenradioclub@gmail.com.

-  George Herald

Fotos  (Klik op fotos om te vergroot)

Foto: Eden-radioklub het met 'n Kenwood TS2000 vanuit die vuurtoringhuisie gepraat. 

Foto: Willie Hewitt ZS2CC

                                                             Foto:  Danie Leonard ZS1DL

Foto:  Henry Hansen ZS1SB

Foto:  Eben Hewitt ZS1HEB

Foto:  Corné Conradie ZS1COR

Foto:  Ystervarkpunt-vuurtoring is in Rein's-natuurreservaat, halfpad tussen Gouritsmond en Stilbaai. - B van Zyl